In Ipso

Encyclical on Episcopal Reunions in Austria
His Holiness Pope Leo XIII
Promulgated on March 3, 1891

To the Bishops of Austria.

AT THE VERY BEGINNING of our Pontificate, as We reviewed the entire
Catholic world, We found much cause for joy in the many and various good
works in which the bishops, the secular and religious clergy, and the
faithful are constantly engaged. Nevertheless, it grieves Us to think that
the enemies of the Church, joined in most wicked conspiracy, scheme to
weaken and even, if possible, utterly wipe out that wondrous edifice which
God Himself has erected as a refuge for the human race. This combat
ardently waged against the Church far and wide, although carried on in
different ways for different places, has one established plan: to remove
all traces of religion from families, schools, laws, and institutions; to
deprive the Church itself of its means of action and that singular virtue
it possesses for the common good; and to infiltrate every vein, as it were,
of domestic and civil society with the most dangerous poison of their
errors. And so these adversaries have left nothing untried; their license
has been boundless. In number and with violence, they have assailed the
rights, liberty and dignity of the Church; the bishops and all ranks of the
clergy; and especially the authority of the Roman Pontiff as well as the
Pontiff himself. As a result of these attacks on the Catholic name, grave
ills have befallen nations. The enemies extend their perverse views ever
more widely, and the immorality and rebellion which accompany such views
sweep away souls with the result that greater dangers daily threaten states
and governments. Nor was any other result to be expected. Religion is the
strongest bulwark of the state. It can, by proper warning and salutary
prohibition, hold people fast to their obligations. But when religion is
weakened, or worse still, tossed aside, then straightaway the foundations
of society waver and are destroyed.

2. These evils We have openly denounced at every opportunity. In Our
communications, We have pointed out to those in authority how closely the
interests of religion and the state are intertwined, while at the same time
exhorting the faithful to properly cherish and diligently fulfill the
teachings of the Church. But Our special appeal has been directed to Our
venerable brother bishops, whom the Holy Spirit has set up as leaders in
the Church and has imbued with the abundant light of His grace. We urge
them to keep watch as sentinels in all parts of the world so that they
might know both what remedies are to be applied in the present
circumstances and what snares are to be avoided in the case of each
individual nation. Thus they should be Our best helpers in Our efforts to
obtain the salvation of Catholic nations. And, indeed, We owe abundant
thanks to God for the admirable unanimity and concern with which the entire
body of bishops has responded to Our exhortation; they use their talents
and devotion to defend the Catholic faith and preserve human society. They
recall it to the virtues consonant with that faith, away from the greatest
ills, thus bringing it to true prosperity.

3. In this so noble rivalry of pastoral zeal the Austrian bishops have
distinguished themselves and deserve much praise. We know how diligently
you toil to eradicate from the German speaking peoples any trace of evil
and to foster in them the seeds of Christian life. Indeed, We recently
learned that you collectively sent a letter to the faithful of your
dioceses; this proves the most profound union of your wills when there is
question of defending Catholic interests. Accordingly, that this unanimity
might flourish in the future and that your efforts might proceed in the
same pathway to the same determined end, it would be opportune for the
bishops to hold annual conferences among themselves; these may be the
source of a fruitful union of minds and action. Meetings like these already
flourish in many places and have already produced happy results. For, by
this means the bishops have had a greater abundance of counsel made
available to them. In addition, their resolution of spirit has been
strengthened, their zeal for things of religion has been aroused, and no
small number of decisions have been carried out which are helpful for the
Catholic enterprise. Moreover, such agreement has not only increased the
respect and immense gratitude of their people toward them, but has also
encouraged lay people, even of other nations, to deliberate equally
harmoniously on how they might best undertake the defense of religion, as
well as the state, in its present affliction.

4. Indeed, from these assemblies and exhortations on the part of bishops,
Catholics have been inspired to hold and attend similar assemblies on the
national, provincial, or local level, an undertaking of the greatest
foresight. For, if evil men, strong in numbers and acumen unite here and
there and conspire together to treacherously deprive Catholics of the gift
of faith and its attendant advantages, surely it is right and necessary
that Catholics should utilize their zeal and abilities to resist. In such
gatherings, they can more freely and firmly undertake the profession of
their faith and repel the enemy attacks upon it.

5. Moreover, there will be important subjects for the assembled bishops to
discuss. In these calamitous and trying times, We judge that above all
efforts should be made to unite the hierarchy with Christian families to
effect a more perfect union. Then the faithful may adhere to their bishops
with all good will and reverence, and in a special manner may bravely
profess their fidelity, obedience, and filial piety toward the bishop of
the universal church. For, surely, to support the view that the Roman
Pontiff should not be subject to any human power, but remain completely
free, is the sacred obligation not of any one nation, but of the whole
Catholic world. Therefore the bishops with united minds and efforts should
see to it that the zeal of the faithful be aroused for this most just cause
and that they urge its speedy accomplishment.

6. In these same assemblies the bishops can conveniently communicate with
one another if some more complex problems have arisen in their local
churches; also they can discuss certain matters in common letters or
decrees, if it seems useful. Likewise the care for the formation and
education of the clergy, which is the greatest and most salutary concern
for a bishop, will occupy its place in these discussions: how the
discipline of life in seminaries may conform to the norms of the Council of
Trent; by what principal means piety and noble qualities may be inculcated
in the seminarians; how they can be encouraged to excel in higher learning;
and what methods the clergy can use to save souls.

7. As for the faithful, who are exposed to such dangers and snares, propose
various aids which they can themselves apply: sermons on divine subjects;
catechetical instruction suitable for different persons, ages, and places,
pious sodalities of many kinds, which the Church recommends; the proper
observation of the religious feasts; those institutes or works which will
preserve the faithful, especially young people, from corruption and will
encourage frequent reception of the sacraments; finally, books, newspapers,
and similar publications which will advance the faith and safeguard morals.

8. It is very important that you encourage Catholic writers and editors so
that they may develop and extend publications in a more effective way.
Excellent writings of this sort, which are published regularly, have
everywhere greatly helped both religion and the state, either because they
support and advance them directly or because in recanting the damaging
writings of the adversaries, they restrain their improper contagion. In the
Austrian empire their value is immense, since the enemies of the Church
publish their writings regularly. With their abundant means, they
disseminate their publications easily and widely. Therefore, it is
absolutely necessary to match for writing in equal number, and thus be able
to blunt their weapons, detect their evil designs, check their malice, and
promote the cause of duty and virtue. Accordingly, it will be helpful if
each region has its own newspapers--champions, as it were, of the altar and
hearth--that conform to the prudence and direction of the bishop. Moreover,
the clergy should benignly favor them and offer them the assistance of
their learning; Catholics should support them well.

9. In addition, another matter which is close to your hearts must be
safeguarded. In fact, you have already sent a joint letter to the faithful.
It is the cause of workers, who sorely need the support of religion both
for the honorable accomplishment of their labors and for the alleviation of
their sufferings. Their cause is closely connected with the social
question; the more difficulties it encounters, the more pressing is its
need for attention. If the bishops direct their attention to this question,
if they see to it that justice and charity influence all classes of society
and are deeply imprinted in souls, if by their authority and activity they
come to the aid of the lowly condition of workers, they will have deserved
well of the Church and society alike.

10. These and other important questions will be the subjects for
deliberation at the annual conferences of bishops which We wish to
introduce. We are fully persuaded that all the bishops of Austria will
carry out these Our wishes, which a holy zeal for religion and the most
benevolent charity toward your Catholic people inspire.

11. Meanwhile, as a presage of divine graces and in testimony of Our
paternal good wishes, dear sons, and venerable brethren, We impart to you
most affectionately in the Lord and to the whole Austrian nation the
Apostolic Blessing.

Given in Rome at St. Peter's, 3 March 1891, in the 14th year of Our
Pontificate.